Bobby Kottarakkara no more

Comedian Boby Kottarakkara passed away following heart failure in Thiruvananthapuram in the early hours of Sunday, 3rd. December. He was 47. Bobby whose real name was Abdul Azeez complained of cheast pain after arriving from the sets of the movie "Vakkalath Narayanankutty" and breathed his last en route to the hospital.

Dadasahib

During a casual chat a few months back, director Vinayan had expressed his desire to make a film with a character resembling that played by Anthony Quinn in Omar Mukhtaar. He had related the story in brief and had said that he felt, only an actor of the calibre of Mammootty could do full justice to the role that he had in mind. And now, when Vinayan is busy shooting his latest film Dadasahib with Mammootty in the lead, his desire seems to have been fulfilled at last. Dadasahib is an old freedom fighter who had devoted his whole life for the country. His son Aboobacker, who is an officer in the army, too serves the country with dedication. When Athira, a young girl from a Brahmin household and Aboobacker fall in love, nobody seems to bother or raise controversies regarding their being from different religions. But when Aboobacker is tried for treason and sentenced to death, even Dadasahib is rendered helpless and finds himself unable to save his son. Mammootty plays a double role here, as Dadasahib and Aboobacker, while newcomer Athira dons the role of Athira. There is an impressive line-up of artists in the cast, and it is a matter of no doubt that Dadasahib is one of the most ambitious projects of Vinayan, whose previous film War and Love is yet to be released. And Mammootty too, judging from the nature of characters that he is playing, is likely to give one of his best performances.

Devadoodan

Director Sibi, whose last release was Ustad, is busy these days shooting for his latest film, again a Mohanlal-starrer, in and around Ooty. The film is yet to be titled. The film revolves around Vishal Krishnamoorthy, a musician who has achieved international acclaim with his symphony 'Rhythm of Love'. He is working on a new album, which he has dedicated to his unnamed guru. Meanwhile Sneha, a student of the Holy Father College, along with her friends bring Vishal to their college to compose a musical programme to be presented at the Inter Collegiate Youth Festival. Vishal has memories to recall, associated with the same college. Vishal moves between his present, in which there is Sneha, and a haunting past, in which there was Angelina Ignatius, who is now the matron of the College hostel. Mohanlal is Vishal while Jayaprada does the role of Angelina. Jayaprada, has had a fancy for doing a meaningful role in Malayalam, though this is not her first film in the language. Kannada actress Vijayalekshmi,who is also the leading lady in the Tamil remake of director Siddique's 'Friends' is cast as Sneha. Hope Sibi will put an end to the wild speculations about the film's title by announcing it soon.

Aanamuttathe Aangalamar

Joint family system is still in existence in few of the Malayalam Tarwads. It was a common feature of ancient Kerala. During those times joint family system had it's own significance, advantages and disadvantages. The present state is not the same. The system happens to be only a memory today. But still the system is very rarely prevalent in certain areas. This film 'Aanamuttathe Aangalamar' takes it's shape against the backdrops of this joint family system. The apparent resurrection of this rare system might perhaps prove to be pleasantly nostalgic to the viewers who may like the film for the same. The same might to the reason for Anil medayil, the young director to have selected this beautiful sentiment-provoking subject for his first film. Anil has worked with several directors as Associate Director and chances are abundant for his film to corner center stage attraction. Aanamuttam Tarwad, which is situated among the lonely suburban of the mid Travancore district forms the story's premises. Temples that formed a part of every old Tarwad along with its cultures, norms and festivals called "Aarattu" - all constituted a part of the ancient civilization. "Vilakkeduppu" - a lamp lighting ceremony is celebrated as a festival once in every 5 years in the Aanamuttam Tarwad. It is a most important event cherished by everyone in the Tarwad. This ceremony has formed the backdrop for the story penned for 'Aanamuttathe Angalamar'. It is a touching story told with a tint of humour. Dakshayani, the eldest sister is presently the head of Aanamuyttam Tarwad. She rules the whole Tarwad and keeps everyone under her thumb. 'Vilekkaduppu' - that forms an important part of the festive celebration that occurs only once in 5 years must as an individual from the forward only undertake an unwritten rule. The bid that takes method, determines the auspicious person who thereafter befit sovereignty over the Tar wad. Disputes arise between the members and a sort of cold war springs up among them. It extended from the dressing rooms of the Tarwad up to its exteriors. This time everyone in the Tarwad is taken aback by surprise. Luck befalls Sivasankara Menon who was expelled matrimonial alliance with a lady of a different religion. Sivasankara Menon is endowed with the most coveted duty of 'Vilakkeduppa', and none of the Tarwad people were happy about this. Sivasankara Menon has not up to this time participated in any of the events concerning the Tarwad. As the festival neared, the Tar wad members lost their mental place. During this time bewildering news reaches the Tarwad - the death of Sivasankara Menon. Subsequently, Jayalakshmi a girl enters the Aanamuttam Tarwad claiming herself as the daughter of the late Sivasankara Menon. Jayalakshmi was slowly getting used to the Tarwad members when another girl named Mamater Menon shows up as the daughter of Sivasankar Menon. Aanamuttam forward lost its tranquility. Suspicious and arguments starts fuming the Tarwad. Who are these young girls? Are they genuine heirs of the late Sivasankara Menon or are they sent by some one to deceive the Tarwad people? The incidents that are shaped up by these two females within the confused Tarwad form the core story of "Aaramuttathe Aangalamar". Sivasankara Menonis played by Nedumudi Venu. Mathu and Sreeja portrays Jayalakshmi and Mamata Menon. The other cast include Jagadish, Spatikan George, Indrans, Harisree Asokan, Narayanan Nair, Filomina, Vatsala Menon, Bindu Panicker, Tensikhan and Bindu Ramakrishnan. For the story written by Rajesh Narayanan, screenplay and dialogues are presented by G.A.Lal. For the songs of Kaithapram music is composed by Raveendran. Playback is by Jesudas and Chithra. The film is produced by Madhugopal under the banner of grascot films and the picturisation has been completed.

Bhadra

The film 'Bhadra' is the first horror film witten and directed by Mummy century. The film attains completion under the banner of mass movies, using modern techniques like D.T.S, graphics and morphing, screenplay and dialogues is written by Tigus Manju picturisation is to be done at Angamali, Jagadish, Sankar, Mala, Mamukkoya, Salim, Kumar, Vinayaprasad, Anita, Kanakalatha and Filomina are the artistes cast in the film. It is clear that much importance is given to the story and the horror scenes than the artistes cast in the film

Achande Kochu Magalkku

The success of the film "Acchammakkutiyude Acchayan" directed by actor-director Rajan P.Dev, prompted him to direct a film once more. An artiste who have excelled in theatre work and stage dramas, direction is not strange to Rajan P.Dev who has also commanded a dominating position in the Malayalam cine field. His first film is a best proof that he is simply comfortable in the art of direction. Rajan P.Dev has for the second time attired this film with humour and human sentiments ranking foremost. He was informed early by Dev that there would be no famous artistes in his film. It appeared that he was adamant in casting only newcomers and average level artists in this film. 'Achande Kochu Magalkku' deals with a family subject. It also deals with love matters comprising of romantic background, without which no story can be filmed. Prince, the young man is a dance artiste and a dance composer. An unexpected but fortunate opportunity he got, to compose a dance happens do be a turning point in his life. 'Daisy', a beautiful and lovely girl entered into his carefree life through this incident. 'Daisy had given her name for participating in the dance competition at the college youth festival. Unfortunately the Dance master who undertook to compose the dance was unable to do so and all of Daisy's dreams were shattered and despair envelopes her when her item could not be presented on stage. She is saved from her misery by prince who composes the dance item for her. She is completely bowled over joy when she secures first prize in the completion by for perfect presentation of the dance item composed by prince. Daisy had no words to thank prince. She is slowly pushed into a state of dependency, that brought her closer to him and this closeness ripens into love. It was a liberation for Daisy from her cursed life and being burdened with the title of an 'orphan', Prince's presence breathed new life into her. She surrendered her life to him. Prince's father Laurence, who returned from the United States was taken aback on hearing about his son's love affair. Prince's calculations proved wrong when things got messed up and his father started to strongly oppose his love. He craved for mercy but Lawrence who was cruelty personified did not head to any of his son's requests, and decided to put an end to his son's love. It is a sensational love story. The pattern in which Rajan P.Dev has directed this film is unique and note worthy. Newcomer Hari Nair plays prince's role and the role of Daisy is played by Indraja. Lawrence is played by Devan and Rajan P.Dev plays the role of Father Gabriel.

Ennum Sambhavami Yuge Yuge

Alleppy Ashraf is a director who shifted himself from mimicry field to film field. Ashraf entered into Cinema during the Prem Nasir era. Ashraf who left the scene long back after directing some films, has made a strong come back through "Ennum Sambhavami Yuge Yuge". He Ashraf always had a flair for taking comedy based films. But this time his subject matter deals with superstitions. The crux of the story is entwined around the Superstitions that had got established at the Kala Mangalam Tarawad and the episodes related to them. The head of the tarawad had a daughter, Prof. Omana whose son Kiran had on eye upon Sona, the beautiful girl who lived in the neighbourhood. But Sona did not have the mentality to fall in love with Kiran. Still she liked him. It was incidental that she too started loving Kiran. From here the story unwinds a lot of happenings. One day Ramadas, a young star comes in search of Sona. Sona was taken aback. Ramadas had different plans. She tries to escape from him. This escaping sequence forms the nucleus of "Ennum Sambavami Yuge Yuge". Sona, is role played by newcomer Brinda and Riaz, the hero of the film Akashaganga, role plays Kiran. The cast also includes Bharat Gopi, Sreevidya, Jagdish, Jagathi and Pushpalatha. Script is prepared by Ashraf. Songs are by Yusuf Ali, Music is composed by Gopakumar and Cinematography by K.P.Nambiadiri. This film which is produced by Nahas under the banner of Mumtaz films completes picturization in and around Alleppey.

Double Doubles

Long back, came an unforgettable and hilarious Hindi movie, Angoor . This was based on Shakespeare's Comedy Of Errors and in which both Sanjeev Kumar and Devan Verma had done double roles. Now comes a similar one in Malayalam by Shashi Shankar. In which the hit comedy pair Jagathy Sreekumar and Kalpana are to do double roles. The shooting is to commence soon and it is a matter of no doubt that the audience is going to get the comic best from these two gifted actors. The pair is currently entertaining the Kerala audience by their enthralling performance on T.V. in Hukka Hua Mikad

Swadesi Nair Videshi Nair

The film is about a NRI, who promises his sister that his daughter would marry her son. To fulfill this promise, he comes to Kerala. However, his daughter and wife are against the marriage as the girl is in love with a youth in US. Father relents but puts forth a condition that the lovers can marry only if the astrologer says yes to it. The astrologer predicts that the first marriage of the girl will be disastrous and the bridegroom will die within ten days and her second marriage will be successful. This prediction sets off a series of happenings. Rajan P Dev plays the father, Jagadish is the nephew, Mahima is the daughter of Rajan P Dev the other artistes are Saikumar, Indrans, Narendra Prasad, Bobby Kottarakara, N R Sivan. Camera by Babu Rajendran and music by Sanjib Babu, the film is produced by Colourful Cinema.

Saynam

P Sukumaran Nair, whose earlier films Aparahanam and Kazahakam had won critical acclaim, is coming up with a new movie Sayanam . This is a story of a man, Thoma, who is a savior to two women, but is also responsible for destroying the lives of many. The film deals with the question, is the sin anti-social or the sinner anti social. "Also in my earlier film, Aparahanam I dealt with the relationship between a mother and son and the dilemmas of a son let down by the radical left movement that he believed in. And in Kazhakam , it was about a woman and her love for a boy. Here in this film, I have dealt with the love of the two women whom he gives a shelter and become his wives, their love for him transcends even after his death. In today's male dominated society, the woman is always waiting for a man in her life in the form of a son or a husband and she seeks complete love but she never gets it in full" observes Sukumaran. The director himself produces the film and the cinematographer is K V Mohana, who is also the cinematographer of Mani Kaul's Nauker Ke Kammis. Babu Antony, "the Jackie chaan" of Kerala cinema, comes in a different role as Thoma. Kalpana, Indrans, and Babu Namboodri are in the supporting roles. M K Kamalam, the first heroine of Malayalam cinema, makes her appearance in this film. The film's story is based on the work of a famous writer Sara Thomas Parishudha Rangoon Punyalan (sacred Rangoon saint).

Vinayan’s Reputation Takes A Beating

Vasanthiyum Laxmiyum Pinne Njaanum, which won for its lead star Kalabhavan Mani the National Special Jury Award, has landed its director Vinayan in a hot spot. Allegedly, the director lifted the film’s story from a short story written by Sarath Chandran. The writer had even gone to court but Vinayan succeeded in defending its originality there. However, the producers later realized to their dismay that the director has cheated them and they paid compensation to Sarath Chandran, who in turn donated the amount to an orphanage for blind and deaf. The latest allegation comes close on the heels of the one accusing Vinayan of cheating a television producer. At this rate Vinayan’s reputation of being a good director will soon go down the drain.

Utthaman

Anil-Babu, the director duo known for their successful comedy films, comes once again with another comedy film- UTTHAMAN starring Jayram in the title role. It’s a story of an orphan Utthaman who grew up serving tea and coffee to the police constables and inspectors of the local police station. He became an unofficial policeman without any salary or powers wearing police boots, khaki pants and white shirt. He was a favourite of the locals because he was a good-hearted man. When Sub inspector Jayraj took charge things turn bad for Utthaman . Utthaman's life revolving around the police station forms the story. Prema and Sindhu are the two leading ladies. Siddique plays Jayraj. Jagathy, T.G.Ravi, Meghanathan, Indrans, Nedumudi Venu, Baburaj are the other important artistes in the film. Babu Antony plays an important role in the film. Music is by Johnson, Lyrics by kaithapram and Cinematography is by Shaji.

Thenkasipatanam

Suresh Gopi- Lal (of Sidiq-Lal team) play the lead roles in Thenkasipatanam directed by hit maker Rafi- Mercartin. The film centered on Thenkasipatanam the market place in Pollachi of Tamilnadu tells a story of two friends Kannan and Dasan who dreamt of being the kings of this market where they worked as labourers. In no time they become big business men and control the market. Suresh plays Kannan and Lal plays Dasan. Kavya Madhvan is plays a crucial role in this film. Samyuktha Varma and Geethu Mohandas are the other leading ladies. The film is being shot in Sethumadai near Pollachi. Music is by Suresh Peters and ‘Lal creations’ is producing this film.